Cultural Spotlight - Ramadan Foods

In Episode #29, co-hosts Bita and Beata explore the foods that are associated with the fasting month of Ramadan that many people in the Persian culture participate in.

Ramadan is a one month long fasting period, following an Arabic calendar.  Many folks in Persian culture who are Isalmic in religious beliefs fast for the month of Ramadan.  Fasting occurs from sun-up to sun-down.  The date moves forward by approximately 10 days each year.  It is a time of spiritual reflection and self improvement.

Foods associated with Ramadan are often sweets to break the fast along with tea or hot water, but also energizing foods and comforting soup-y stews.

Sweets associated with Ramadan:

Halva

• Caramel colored thick and creamy paste
• Made with wheat flour, butter and syrup of sugar, saffron, cardamom, and rose water (all very Persian flavors) 
• Different from Arabic and other regional halvas in that it typically does not contain any tahini/sesame seed paste

Sholeh Zard | Dairy free Persian saffron rice pudding

• A rice pudding made with water vs milk or cream
• Rice, water, and loads of saffron and sugar
• Decorated with cinnamon and slivered nuts

Zoolbia Bamieh

• Persian deep fried funnel cakes drizzled with sweet syrup
• Always enjoyed with Persian tea

Other foods associated with the month of Ramadan

• Adas Polo - lentil rice with caramelized dates and raisins
• Khoresh Ghemeh - split pea, tomato, and fried potato stew
• Haleem - grain and turkey porridge
• Aash Reshteh - hearty herb, bean, and noodle soup 

Ask the Beats!

Question from Reddit: What is a good substitute for zereshk (tart/sour dried barberries)?

Zereshk polo is a traditional Persian rice made using zereshk cooked in butter, sugar and saffron - a great substitute for zereshk in this dish is dried cranberries. Less sugar can be used in this dish when substituted cranberries for zereshk.

Resource links and recipes from this episode:

Ash Reshteh

• Bita’s Aash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup
• Beata’s Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup

Additional recipes:

• Bita’s Adas Polo | Persian Lentil and Date Rice
• Bita’s Khoresh Ghemeh | Persian Yellow Split Pea Stew

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio